Rural Roots tour will promote agricultural history

Wednesday

Apr 16, 2014 at 6:30 PM

For people who are interested in agriculture, sustainability, tourism or even history, the Tourism Recreation Investment Partnership (TRIP) for Davidson County Foundation is planning a tour to examine the rural roots of the area on May.

BY SHARON MYERSThe Dispatch

For people who are interested in agriculture, sustainability, tourism or even history, the Tourism Recreation Investment Partnership (TRIP) for Davidson County Foundation is planning a tour to examine the rural roots of the area on May 10.The day-long event will explore the history of Davidson County and the critical role that farms, agriculture and conservation play in our local economy and our quality of life. It will include a guided motor-coach tour of farms, historical sites and other points of interest around the Arnold community of Davidson County. William Deal, executive director of TRIP, said the tours are a way to introduce the public to the history of Davidson County, especially when it relates to farming and agriculture."The 2014 Rural Roots Tour offers our local residents an excellent opportunity to learn about the rich history and heritage that makes Davidson County the great community that it is today," Deal said. "The tour also shows the vital role that farms, agriculture and conservation continue to play in our local economy." During the tour, participants will be able to meet farmers who will explain what they raise and how they operate. Tour guides will answer questions and point out interesting aspects of rural life en route. After departing from Lexington Farmer's Market, the first stop will be a private tour of a unique collection of eight reconstructed log farm buildings. The next stop will be at Robana Farms for a look at how a farm supply and equipment dealer provides the needs of area farmers. Next will be a visit to Gentle Harmony Farm, which produces organically grown medicinal herbs. The tour then makes an extended visit to the Arnold community, which was once a thriving center of commerce in early 20th century Davidson County. The tour will stop at Seven Springs Farms to learn about the environmental and conservational aspects of cattle production and pasture raised beef. Then the tour will visit historic Beulah United Church of Christ and will include hearing about the history of the early German settlers who built the church and a tour of the Beulah cemetery with graves and pierced headstone dating to the 1700s. The next stop will be at C&R Nursery to learn how smaller, independent plant producers have adjusted to new economic conditions and market competition. The final stop will be at D&H Shiloh Farms, which markets fresh produce directly to the consumer through an increasingly popular cooperative arrangement known as Community Supported Agriculture. Troy Coggins, director of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension in Davidson County, said although his department is not involved with the tour, he is pleased that there have been efforts to educate the public on the importance of agriculture in Davidson County."Anything we can do to give people a better understanding of why we need to preserve farms and farmland is a positive thing," Coggins said. "If they see how we used to do it, why people got away from it and how we do it today, it gives them more of a layman's grasp of the issue. These tours also promote agritourism, which has become bigger each year."The Rural Roots Tour is hosted by TRIP's History, Agritourism and the Rural Heritage Committee with the financial support of the Davidson County Farm Bureau and the Davidson County office of Carolina Farm Credit. The Rural Roots Tour concept originated in 2007 with tours arranged and conducted by the Davidson County Cooperative Extension Advisory Leadership Council.The cost of the tour is $20 for adults and $10 for youths under 16. The tour is limited to 47 participants and includes transportation and lunch.Deal said the purpose of the Rural Roots Tour is to illustrate the history and the present day relevance of agriculture to the economy of Davidson County. The tour is also intended to highlight the role that farms, agriculture and our natural resources play in Davidson County's tourism industry and to showcase the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of Davidson County's agriculture industry."There is a lot of history in these authentic small towns," Deal said. "Some of them are real unique and I don't think people realize how important agriculture was, and is, to our community. It is what makes Davidson County what it is today."Sharon Myers can be reached at 249-3981, ext, 228 or at sharon.myers@the-dispatch.com. Follow Sharon on Twitter: @LexDisptachSM

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